http://news.softpedia.com Softpedia News - Green Softpedia News en-us 2001 - 2012 Softpedia. All rights reserved. Tue, 29 May 2012 01:04:02 GMT Tue, 29 May 2012 01:04:02 GMT News http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 10 http://news.softpedia.com/base_img/softpedia_logo.gif http://news.softpedia.com http://news.softpedia.com/news/State-of-the-Art-Renewable-Energy-Technologies-Now-Available-in-India-272169.shtml Using only seven indigenous plant species, India has successfully developed its first biomass energy plantation, while at the same time providing the local women from southern Tamil Nadu with a suitable workplace.

As the National Commission on Agriculture from India declares in one of their recent interviews, a ... (read more)]]> Mon, 28 May 2012 14:12:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/State-of-the-Art-Renewable-Energy-Technologies-Now-Available-in-India-272169.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/State-of-the-Art-Renewable-Energy-Technologies-Now-Available-in-India-272169.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Shinier-Solar-Energy-Soon-Available-to-the-General-Public-272138.shtml During the past few years, both scientists and ordinary people dedicated to environmental cause have been making quite a big fuss about how we should all change our ways and use solar energy to power our homes and even our rides.

However, there is one small detail that seems to have been left out up until now: the ... (read more)]]> Mon, 28 May 2012 13:11:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Shinier-Solar-Energy-Soon-Available-to-the-General-Public-272138.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Shinier-Solar-Energy-Soon-Available-to-the-General-Public-272138.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Environmentally-Friendly-Technologies-Prove-Not-to-Be-So-Friendly-After-All-272112.shtml Recent studies show that, regardless of the fact that more and more industries are working towards switching to ecological power so as to show their concern for the well-being of our environment, the techniques employed to design and build items such as solar panels and wind turbines are, in fact, harmful to the environ... (read more)]]> Mon, 28 May 2012 12:22:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Environmentally-Friendly-Technologies-Prove-Not-to-Be-So-Friendly-After-All-272112.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Environmentally-Friendly-Technologies-Prove-Not-to-Be-So-Friendly-After-All-272112.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Green-Bar-for-Black-Coffee-Now-Open-in-Amsterdam-272062.shtml People currenly visiting or living in the northern part of Amsterdam can proudly say that, as of recently, they have been given the chance to relax and enjor their leisure time in a coffee bar that abides by “green” standards.

This environmentally-friendly café goes by the name of Noorderparkbar and its constructi... (read more)]]> Mon, 28 May 2012 09:44:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Green-Bar-for-Black-Coffee-Now-Open-in-Amsterdam-272062.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Green-Bar-for-Black-Coffee-Now-Open-in-Amsterdam-272062.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Automotive-Companies-Strive-to-Make-Electric-Cars-More-User-Friendly-272035.shtml Before jumping at the chance of buying an electric car, just for the sake of environment, most ordinary citizens wonder if perhaps they might find themselves spending more money on electricity than on gas.

Should they come to the conclusion that this is indeed the case, odds are that Mother Nature and its well-be... (read more)]]> Mon, 28 May 2012 08:53:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Automotive-Companies-Strive-to-Make-Electric-Cars-More-User-Friendly-272035.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Automotive-Companies-Strive-to-Make-Electric-Cars-More-User-Friendly-272035.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Canadian-Budget-Cuts-Endanger-Marine-Wildlife-271984.shtml Starting with the 1st of April, 2013, the scientists employed by the Canadian government to deal with a rather pressing issue – that of marine pollution – are to be given the sack. The reason behind this abrupt shift in Canada's attitude towards the well-being of our oceans is, what else, money.

Apparently, one of the coun... (read more)]]> Mon, 28 May 2012 06:57:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Canadian-Budget-Cuts-Endanger-Marine-Wildlife-271984.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Canadian-Budget-Cuts-Endanger-Marine-Wildlife-271984.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Fishing-Industry-Now-Helped-by-Developments-in-Genetics-271267.shtml Recent studies indicate that up to 25% of the fish currently on the world's markets comes from illegal fishing. Past attempts to deal with this situation ended in failure, as up until now it has been virtually impossible to successfully prove that certain fish come from illegal trades.

However, it seems that scientists ha... (read more)]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 12:07:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Fishing-Industry-Now-Helped-by-Developments-in-Genetics-271267.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Fishing-Industry-Now-Helped-by-Developments-in-Genetics-271267.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Faced-with-Budget-Cuts-New-Jersey-College-Goes-Green-271252.shtml With the help of Mercer County Improvement Authority, an organization that is in the businesses of helping local communities carry out public works in their area, the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) is seriously considering installing an 8 Megawatt solar system on campus.

Ever since the beginning of the Great Recession i... (read more)]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 11:16:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Faced-with-Budget-Cuts-New-Jersey-College-Goes-Green-271252.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Faced-with-Budget-Cuts-New-Jersey-College-Goes-Green-271252.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Massachusetts-Regulates-Hotels-and-Restaurants-Disposal-of-Leftovers-271224.shtml At the moment, restaurants and other such businesses in Massachusetts dispose of whatever leftovers they may have by simply throwing them out with the rest of the trash.

What makes this situation an unacceptable one – from an environmental point of view, at least – is the fact that, when they begin t... (read more)]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 09:28:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Massachusetts-Regulates-Hotels-and-Restaurants-Disposal-of-Leftovers-271224.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Massachusetts-Regulates-Hotels-and-Restaurants-Disposal-of-Leftovers-271224.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/NASCAR-Pilots-Now-Concerned-about-the-Environment-271201.shtml Green products and nature-oriented campaigns are now to be brought to the attention of NASCAR racing fans, as NASCAR pilots decided to work together with representatives of EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to help raise awareness with respect to environmental issues.

The terms of this newly formed partnership are as follows: f... (read more)]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 08:19:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/NASCAR-Pilots-Now-Concerned-about-the-Environment-271201.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/NASCAR-Pilots-Now-Concerned-about-the-Environment-271201.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Coal-Combustion-Poisons-the-Arctic-Ocean-271180.shtml It's no big secret that mercury is a highly toxic element. Although it is true that mercury is naturally found in the environment, it seems that human activities have led to an alarming increase in the amounts of mercury present in the natural world.

What makes mercury so dangerous is the fact that it doesn't break down into less harmful c... (read more)]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 07:32:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Coal-Combustion-Poisons-the-Arctic-Ocean-271180.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Coal-Combustion-Poisons-the-Arctic-Ocean-271180.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Storms-Floods-More-Frequent-Midwest-America-271166.shtml Earlier today, the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and the Natural Resources Defense Council made public their worries regarding the extreme weather conditions that began to manifest themselves in the Midwest.

Although humanity has dealt with major storms before, what alarms researchers at this point is the rapid increase in their number: s... (read more)]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 06:43:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Storms-Floods-More-Frequent-Midwest-America-271166.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Storms-Floods-More-Frequent-Midwest-America-271166.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Global-Warming-Takes-Its-Toll-on-the-Well-being-of-our-Oceans-271125.shtml
Without it, our oceanic waters will suffer from lack of proper oxygenation and this can and will be easily be translated into the destruction of our most important ecosystems. ... (read more)]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 14:43:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Global-Warming-Takes-Its-Toll-on-the-Well-being-of-our-Oceans-271125.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Global-Warming-Takes-Its-Toll-on-the-Well-being-of-our-Oceans-271125.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Scientists-in-Melbourne-Confirm-Australia-s-Rapid-Climate-Change-271082.shtml Using various natural indicators, such as corals, ice cores and tree rings, the scientists working at the University of Melbourne managed to pin down the changes that have occurred in Australian temperatures over the course of the centuries.

The researchers’ decision to resort to these means of investigating the evol... (read more)]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 13:36:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Scientists-in-Melbourne-Confirm-Australia-s-Rapid-Climate-Change-271082.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Scientists-in-Melbourne-Confirm-Australia-s-Rapid-Climate-Change-271082.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Scottish-Ministry-of-Defence-Accused-of-Selling-Off-Poisoned-Land-271054.shtml Recently, SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) has started looking into the quality of the land around the RAF (Royal Air Force) station in Kinloss, north-east Scotland.

Apparently, what sparked their interest in the matter is the media's drawing attention to the fact that the Scottish Ministry of Defence (M... (read more)]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 12:37:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Scottish-Ministry-of-Defence-Accused-of-Selling-Off-Poisoned-Land-271054.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Scottish-Ministry-of-Defence-Accused-of-Selling-Off-Poisoned-Land-271054.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Olympic-Flame-Accompanied-by-One-too-many-Cars-271018.shtml Simply by reading about this year's Olympic flame procession, it's impossible not to be astonished by the number of cars that followed it on its route through London: a total of 47 vehicles. 

With just a quick glance at the procession, you can easily spot buses, trucks, motorcycles and regular family cars. Quite a long list... (read more)]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 11:06:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Olympic-Flame-Accompanied-by-One-too-many-Cars-271018.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Olympic-Flame-Accompanied-by-One-too-many-Cars-271018.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-University-of-Texas-aims-at-abiding-by-LEED-standards-270973.shtml Having invested a rather significant amount of money (approximately $290 million) in renovating its campus, the University now wants to make sure that its brand new buildings and facilities are environmentally friendly enough to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.

According to Environmental L... (read more)]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 09:18:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-University-of-Texas-aims-at-abiding-by-LEED-standards-270973.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-University-of-Texas-aims-at-abiding-by-LEED-standards-270973.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Environmental-Campaigns-Interfere-with-Chagossian-Islanders-Lifestyle-270936.shtml In 2008, the foreign secretary of Britain, David Miliband, fought with all his main and might for creating a marine reserve around Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago and currently a part of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

OK, maybe he didn't have to fight all that hard, seeing how nin... (read more)]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 08:01:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Environmental-Campaigns-Interfere-with-Chagossian-Islanders-Lifestyle-270936.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Environmental-Campaigns-Interfere-with-Chagossian-Islanders-Lifestyle-270936.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Israelian-Electric-Cars-Now-More-Accessible-270909.shtml When considering the possibility of purchasing an electric car, most consumers worry about running out of energy and not having where to recharge it. This is the reason why Shai Agassi and his company, Better Place, have decided to build four electric car charging stations in northern Israel.

Better Place came up with their electric car ... (read more)]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 07:05:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Israelian-Electric-Cars-Now-More-Accessible-270909.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Israelian-Electric-Cars-Now-More-Accessible-270909.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Laura Sinpetru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Light-Emitting-Solar-Cells-Display-Incredible-Efficiency-266729.shtml Experts at the University of California in Berkeley (UCB) say that a counterintuitive concept may be the key to boosting the efficiency of solar cells by a very wide margin. They have recently tested an innovative solar cell design, which also produces light, not only absorbs it.

Usually, engineers create solar cells in such... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:59:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Light-Emitting-Solar-Cells-Display-Incredible-Efficiency-266729.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Light-Emitting-Solar-Cells-Display-Incredible-Efficiency-266729.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Tudor Vieru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Green-Boeing-Dreamliner-Touches-Down-in-UK-266407.shtml Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has just landed in the UK, as part of its international tour to introduce itself to companies looking to offer their clients safer, more comfortable and greener flights. It won't go into circulation until next year.

Initially scheduled to start flying some years ago, the Dreamliner has undergone considerable change ... (read more)]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:51:02 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Green-Boeing-Dreamliner-Touches-Down-in-UK-266407.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Green-Boeing-Dreamliner-Touches-Down-in-UK-266407.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Innovative-Type-of-Solar-Panels-Developed-265223.shtml Dresden, Germany-based startup Heliatek announces the development of an innovative solar panel design, which uses polyester films and small organic molecules for producing electricity from sunlight.

The devices are significantly more efficient at converting photons into electrons than existing technologies, but they currently cost more to p... (read more)]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:15:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Innovative-Type-of-Solar-Panels-Developed-265223.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Innovative-Type-of-Solar-Panels-Developed-265223.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Tudor Vieru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/US-Could-Produce-an-Extra-12-Gigawatts-of-Electricity-from-Dams-265022.shtml A new report identifies no less than 54,000 sites throughout the United States that could be developed to produce electricity from renewable sources. The investigation was focused on existing dams and hydroelectric power, and found that the country could generate an additional 12 gigawatts of electricity.

The document ... (read more)]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:26:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/US-Could-Produce-an-Extra-12-Gigawatts-of-Electricity-from-Dams-265022.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/US-Could-Produce-an-Extra-12-Gigawatts-of-Electricity-from-Dams-265022.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Tudor Vieru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Greenpeace-Apple-s-iCloud-Uses-Dirty-Coal-Energy-265026.shtml Greenpeace has released its latest report - “How Clean is Your Cloud” - stating that Apple Inc., Amazon, and Microsoft “are powering their growing 21st-century clouds with dirty, 19th-century coal energy.” Apple has responded negatively to these claims.

Greenpeace believes that “if Apple is really intere... (read more)]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:25:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Greenpeace-Apple-s-iCloud-Uses-Dirty-Coal-Energy-265026.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Greenpeace-Apple-s-iCloud-Uses-Dirty-Coal-Energy-265026.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Filip Truta) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Water-Treatment-Plants-to-Use-Algae-Based-Cleaning-Systems-264994.shtml Next month, NASA will transfer a unique floating algae cultivation system to the commercial sector. The technology could be used in conjunction with conventional methods at water treatment plants, and could address a number of environmental issues, in addition to facilitating the production of biofuels.

The Offshore Membran... (read more)]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:26:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Water-Treatment-Plants-to-Use-Algae-Based-Cleaning-Systems-264994.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Water-Treatment-Plants-to-Use-Algae-Based-Cleaning-Systems-264994.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Tudor Vieru) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Jennifer-Lawrence-Upsets-PETA-with-Squirrel-Comment-264273.shtml Jennifer Lawrence has managed to get on PETA's toes. Consequently, the president of the animal rights group has issued a scathing statement to put her back in her place and, at the same time, show her the error of her ways.

In her most recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Lawrence, who can now be seen in the critical and ... (read more)]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:41:01 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Jennifer-Lawrence-Upsets-PETA-with-Squirrel-Comment-264273.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Jennifer-Lawrence-Upsets-PETA-with-Squirrel-Comment-264273.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/A-Tree-Will-Be-Planted-If-You-Download-This-App-263304.shtml What better way to save the planet if not by planting a tree yourself? Granted, you won’t be getting your hands dirty with mud, but Catalog Spree will commission the planting of a tree in the Pike National Forest in Colorado if you download their free iPad app.

The highest-rated catalog shopping app for the iPad, Catalog Spree t... (read more)]]> Fri, 6 Apr 2012 14:45:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/A-Tree-Will-Be-Planted-If-You-Download-This-App-263304.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/A-Tree-Will-Be-Planted-If-You-Download-This-App-263304.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Filip Truta) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Kim-Kardashian-Sabotaged-for-Selling-Fur-at-DASH-Stores-262406.shtml Kim Kardashian has long been a PETA “enemy” for wearing fur in public and, thus, indirectly supporting the fur trade. Now, she's targeted for selling fur as well, in a campaign that will undoubtedly get a lot of people talking.

Models Joanna Krupa and Katie Cleary have joined forces with Care2 with the aim of convin... (read more)]]> Tue, 3 Apr 2012 17:41:02 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Kim-Kardashian-Sabotaged-for-Selling-Fur-at-DASH-Stores-262406.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Kim-Kardashian-Sabotaged-for-Selling-Fur-at-DASH-Stores-262406.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Khloe-Kardashian-Dumps-PETA-to-the-Curb-Following-Kim-s-Flour-Bombing-261088.shtml Khloe Kardashian, who proudly showed off her bare back in a 2008 No Fur campaign for PETA, is now ditching the animal rights group to the curb after her sister's flour “attack” on the red carpet.

In a statement on her official webpage, Khloe lets her fans know of her decision to stop supporting the Pe... (read more)]]> Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:19:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Khloe-Kardashian-Dumps-PETA-to-the-Curb-Following-Kim-s-Flour-Bombing-261088.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Khloe-Kardashian-Dumps-PETA-to-the-Curb-Following-Kim-s-Flour-Bombing-261088.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Donald-Trump-Jr-Under-Investigation-for-Zimbabwe-Hunting-Trip-261031.shtml Just a short while ago, Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., came under serious fire after photos of him on a hunting trip to Zimbabwe emerged online. Authorities are now investigating the legality of the safari.

As we also noted at the time, the photos were snapped back in 2011, but it took them one year to emerge on ... (read more)]]> Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:25:00 GMT Softpedia News - Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Donald-Trump-Jr-Under-Investigation-for-Zimbabwe-Hunting-Trip-261031.shtml Green http://news.softpedia.com/news/Donald-Trump-Jr-Under-Investigation-for-Zimbabwe-Hunting-Trip-261031.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan)